10 Women’s Wardrobe Essentials Moving to NYC

New York City is all about what you wear and what you want people to think of you at a glance. What you wear is your personal story, told in the blink of an eye. Regardless of the story you’d like to tell, there are some essentials that non-New Yorkers or non-East Coasters might not think of.

In a clothing and fashion-obsessed New York, here are 10 Women’s Wardrobe Essentials Moving to NYC

Scarves, hats, and gloves
Oh my! Yes, this may be a no-brainer but I hardly used any of these before I moved to New York. Now I layer them every winter, so that I may cover up ever inch of exposed skin from the harsh winter air. To think, I almost didn’t bring them with me during my move!

Cozy socks & lots of sweaters
One thing I wanted immediately after my first winter in the Big Apple was knee-high socks! Maybe they’re a trend or they only appeal to a specific type of woman, but they definitely appeal to me! Especially if you want to wear any kind of dress or skirt in Fall or Winter. These socks (I have both beige and black, for options), are lifesavers.

Heavy winter coat …preferably ankle-length! I had hear the winters were cold. I come from Washington state and I know cold, but I didn’t know cold like New York does! I was thankful for my fashionable warm vintage winter coat that goes well past my knees.

Light fall coatPersonally, I like to have many options. In the Fall, it can get brisk and windy and you may need just light layers. You especially want something light enough that it won’t kill you when you get into the sweltering subway. You’ll probably be sweating.

Crop tops
Back home, I never owned a crop top. But in New York City, one thing I wasn’t expecting was the extreme desire to be wearing as little as possible at all moments in the Summer. You’ll want enough options to sorta last you through those sweat-dripping days. And if you think Fall is warm in the subways, just wait until Summer. There will definitely be a moment of mutual understanding when you see everyone in the subway anticipating that air-conditioned car, with shiny foreheads and sticky hair.

An all-black wardrobe
Black is the new black. Black is the old black. Black will always be black, and New York loves it’s black, head-to-toe wardrobe. If you ever want to truly fit in, look more slim, or like you just walked out of a model-casting, make sure to have many black options. You may also often be required to wear all black dress clothes/black dress shoes for jobs, soo… even if you don’t want to fit in, you still need to.

An outfit for every occasion
Speaking of black, don’t forget to pack your essential little black dress! You’ll also want to make sure you have proper career-oriented clothing, interview/casting clothes, going out to the club, rooftop parties, networking parties, etc.

Cute rain boots and/or snow boots
When it rains, it pours. No, really. Expect an unexpected downpour of rain, especially if its in the forecast on on a warm day. If you see the native New Yorkers breaking out their umbrellas and rain boots on the train, it’s probably too late for you. Next time, you’ll just know. It’s like a sixth sense. Also, one of my favorite winter pieces are my snow boots that I use in the place of rain boots. They are so much more impervious and multi-funtional. They keep my feet warm in the winter and dry in the rain.

Your favorite swimsuit
It’s easy to forget that New York is surrounded by water. Especially if you don’t know the geography that well, like when I moved here. In fact, there are several great places to go enjoy the sand, ocean, and sun in the sweltering height of summer. So… don’t forget your favorite swimsuit that you feel like a million bucks in! (I personally suggest the Rockaways off the A train).

Something that is oh-so-you
Wear something colorful! Or something hipster, or business-casual, or whatever suits you. You want to have the perfect outfit for that day you’re feeling especially awesome and powerful. Don’t get too pulled into the black funk. Show the world your individuality!

As you can see, the people of New York City need very weather-oriented clothing. I used to just wear tank-tops, t-shirts, and rain coats. (Well, it “always” rains in Washington, so I almost never took that rain coat off). If there is anything you’re not prepared for ahead of time, the weather may just catch you off guard and you may be forced to make an emergency purchase you might just regret!

Where ever you’re from, it’s likely you just don’t have the variety of weather that New York does. Hopefully this list will prepare you.